Gallery: Reasons to be an Alfa-holic

Cuore Sportivo.

Passion. 'Cuore Sportivo' is commonly used in Europe by Alfa Romeo on their branding, translated from Italian to mean 'sporting heart'. Pictured: Models pose next to Italian auto maker Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, equipped with 5.0-litre V8 engine on the stylish coupe body during a press preview at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show, 24 October 2007.

PHOTO: Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP/Getty Images

The first car to be badged as Alfa Romeo: the Torpedo 20-30 HP.

In 1920, the name of the company was changed from A.L.F.A. to Alfa Romeo, and the Torpedo 20-30 HP became the first car to be badged as such.

PHOTO: Handout, autoevolution.com

The story behind the badge.

Originally designed in 1910, Alfa Romeo's badge is a combination of a serpent and Milan's city emblem, inspired by the family crest of the Visconti family, rulers of Milan in the 14th century.

The serpent on the badge is a biscione, a mythological creature known as the "human child eating viper". A dark blue metallic ring was added in 1918 when the company was purchased by Nicola Romeo, with the inscription "ALFA - ROMEO" and "MILANO", separated by two Savoy dynasty knots, eventually replaced by two curvy lines when the monarchy was abolished in 1946. A laurel wreath was added around the badge in 1925 after the victory of the P2 in the inaugural Automobile World Championship. "MILANO" was removed when Alfa Romeo opened its factory in Naples in the early 1970's.

PHOTO: Damien Meyer, AFP/Getty Images

The Alfa Romeo yachts.

Neville Crichton, the Alfa Romeo auto distributor for Australia and New Zealand, owns several yachts called Alfa Romeo (I, II, and III). Alfa Romeo I, a fixed keel "supermaxi yacht", launched in 2002 and placed first at the 2002 Sydney-Hobart race and 2003 Giraglia Rolex cup regatta. Alfa Romeo II, a carbon fibre "super maxi" racing yacht, was first to finish at the 2009 Transpacific Yacht Race and set a new elapsed-time race record. Alfa Romeo III is a "mini-maxi" built to compete with smaller boats in shorter distance races. Pictured: Alfa Romeo II on her first sail.

PHOTO: Handout/Ateco Automotive Australia Pty Ltd., Wikimedia Commons

The Alfa Romeo brand is synonymous with speed and performance.

Pictured: Rafael Cosin Fernandez of Spain and Jean-Laurent Paris of France drive a Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV (1973) on the first stage from Monaco to Revest les Roches during the 12th Monte Carlo Historical Rally on February 1, 2009 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

PHOTO: Michael Steele, Getty Images

The fastest production Alfa Romeo has a top speed of 254 km/h.

Introduced on the 2003 GTVs, the 3.2 V6 24V GTV 240 PS is currently the fastest Alfa Romeo engine. The 2003 Alfa Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 24V is capable of 0-60 mph in just over six seconds, with a top speed of 254 km/h. Pictured: 2003 Alfa Romeo GTV Twin Spark coupe.

PHOTO: Handout, Wikimedia Commons

You'll get to know your neighbours better (because of all the time you'll spend mingling around your open garage door).

Pictured: Alfa Romeo collection cars are presented at the Incredible Collection exhibition, part of the Paris Auto Show, on September 30, 2010.

PHOTO: Eric Piermont, AFP/Getty Images

There's a name for true Alfa Romeo lovers.

In Italian, an Alfa fanatic is called an "Alfista" and a group of them are "Alfisti". The nickname dates back to the 1930s. Pictured: The Alfa Romeo 8C Spider is presented at the Paris Auto Show on October 1st, 2010.

PHOTO: Miguel Medina, AFP/Getty Images

The Graduate (1967) - 1966 Alfa Romeo Spider 1600

PHOTO: Handout, Embassy Pictures Corporation

...Which Mike Myer's then replicated in "Wayne's World 2" (1993).

The entire set of scenes featuring the Spider in "The Graduate" (1967) were replicated in satire by Mike Myers in "Wayne's World 2" (1993).

PHOTO: Handout, Paramount Pictures

An Alfa is not an expression of mid-life crisis.

But, rather, an expression of your appreciation for art and the automobile. Pictured: The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is presented at the Paris Auto Show during the press day on October 1st, 2010.

PHOTO: Boris Horvat, AFP/Getty Images

The world's largest Alfa Romeo parade.

In celebration of Alfa Romeo's centenary year, more than 300 Alfa Romeo owners arrived at Allams Alfa Romeo dealership on February 7, 2010, in Epsom, Surrey, UK to take part in the largest ever parade of Alfa Romeo cars. The number needed to set the record, 200, was shattered by 112, with a total of 312 drivers showing up.

PHOTO: Handout, theautochannel.com

Rare and exotic in North America.

Since Alfa Romeo stopped exporting cars to the US in 1995, Alfas are usually a rare sight in North America. In 2010, the product plan for 2010 - 2014 was unveiled, naming the new Giulia (2012) as the first Alfa Romeo to be sold in the US, based on the platform used in Giulietta. Pictured: A model poses in front of the new Giulietta by the Italian carmaker Alfa Romeo on March 3, 2010 during the 80th Geneva International Motor Show at Palexpo in Geneva.

PHOTO: Philippe Desmazes, AFP/Getty Images

Washing the car becomes one of the most gratifying jobs you do all week.

Pictured: A professional car valeter puts the finishing touches to a 1936 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Pescara Spyder, once owned by Benito Mussolini, at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse on February 25 2008 in Cheltenham, United Kingdom.

PHOTO: Matt Cardy, Getty Images

You'll form an intimate relationship with your mechanic.

They may find themselves spending a lot of time at the shop, but it doesn't make Alfisti love their Alfas any less. Pictured: Employees install an engine at the stand of Italian carmaker Alfa Romeo on September 14, 2009 ahead of the 63rd International Motor Show (IAA) in the central German city of Frankfurt am Main.

PHOTO: Thomas Lohnes, AFP/Getty Images

An Alfa says that you not only love cars, but fine food, fine wine, fine architecture, fine clothing, which is a fine way to live.

Composed of hundreds of images submitted by Alfa Romeo lovers in the UK to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the automaker, the completed mosaic will be exhibited in art galleries across the United Kingdom.

PHOTO: Screengrab, alfacentenary.co.uk

Vintage Alfa Romeo cars.

The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 cars of the 1930s, remembered for their classic Italian styling and impressive performance, were made in very limited numbers and, therefore, were probably the most expensive cars of their time. Pictured: 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta.

PHOTO: Handout, National Post

Alfa Romeo police cars.

In the 1960s, Alfa Romeo was well-known for its specifically designed Italian police cars - "Panthers" and Carabinieri. The "Pantera" (Panther) police cars were grey and blue with white stripes, while the Carabinieri Alfas were dark blue with red stripes and white roofs (known as the "Gazzella" or Antelope).

More recently, policemen in Sydney, Australia have added the oh-so-cute Alfa Mito to their police car fleet.

PHOTO: Handout/Jollyroger, Wikimedia Commons

A true Alfista can Alfa Romeo their home and/or office.

"The Official Alfa Romeo Art Collection communicates the dream, the vision, the design and the human genius behind Alfa’s cars and achievements" reads Alfa Romeo's official art site.

PHOTO: Handout, alfaromeoart.com

The distinctive "Star Wars grille".

A very recognizable and iconic feature on the Alfa Romeo is the grille, often referred to as the "Star Wars grille" because of it's resemblance to Darth Vader's mask. Pictured: One of only five built in 1938, this Alfa Romeo Type B Berlinetta Coupe shows off its grey London Fog original paint, against the palm trees of Florida, following restoration in North Vancouver B.C.

Located in Arese, Milan, Italy, the Alfa Romeo History Museum opened on December 18, 1976 in a now unused Alfa Romeo factory area. Dedicated to the 100 years of Alfa Romeo, the museum spreads over 4,800 square metres and six floors.

PHOTO: Matt Cardy, Getty Images

The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.

The Alfa Romeo Competizione is a sports car first presented as a concept in 2003, and later released for sale in the 2007 model year. The lines of this sports car are meant to echo the styling of the Alfas of the 1950s and 60s. The official top speed of the 8C is announced to be 292 km/h, with estimates that it could actually be around 306 km/h.

In "Octopussy" (1983), James Bond (Roger Moore) steals and drives a 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV 6, while being chased by two Bavarian BMW 5-series police cars. See it here.

PHOTO: Handout, United Artists/Eon Productions Ltd.

More Alfa Romeos in James Bond movies.

Two black Alfa Romeo 159 Ti cars appeared in the opening scenes of the 2008 James Bond film "Quantum of Solace". The film also features a Carabineri Alfa 156. Pictured: A 1998 Alfa Romeo 156 in Quantum of Solace (2008).

PHOTO: Handout, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Columbia Pictures

The Alfa Romeo store.

From leather belts and bags, to jewellery and office supplies, men and women's clothing to car accessories, it seems that any merchandise an Alfista could want is available at the newly opened Alfa Romeo online store.

Enzo Ferrari's first car (the Tipo 815) was created after he left his job as designer at Alfa Romeo, while he was still under contract. Ferrari had worked at Alfa Romeo as a successful race car driver and then a car designer. See "40 reasons to be a Ferrari-holic".

Alfa Romeo has been involved in car racing since 1911 and has competed successfully in many different categories of motorsport, including Grand Prix motor racing, Formula One, sportscar racing, touring car racing and rallies. Pictured: A view of a Alfa Romeo 33SC12 during the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 13, 2003 at Goodwood House in Chichester, England.